Costa Smeralda, Olbia and the North East of Sardinia, North Eastern Sardinia, northeast Sardinia, Arzachena, Bassacutena, Cala Capra, Cannigione, La Maddalena, Palau, Porto Pollo, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Santa Teresa, Capo Testa, Sant Antonio di Gallura, Lago di Liscia, Sardinia, Italy, Olbia Airport ,Â Porto Rotondo, San Pantaleo.Â Arzachena hotels> Baia Sardinia Baia Sardinia is a beautiful beach resort, looking out to Caprera Island, with a stunning white sandy beach and turquoise bay surrounded by villas, hotels and a lively piazza with shops, café bars and restaurants. There are watersports available on the beach and boat trips out to the islands to really appreciate the beauty of this coastline. Aquadream Water Park for children is located just out of the town.

Baia Sardinia hotels > Bassacutena Bassacutena is a small village situated in the heart of the natural Galluran countryside, in the middle of nowhere yet equidistant between Santa Teresa and Palau for beaches, Arzachena for shops, banks and weekly market, and Tempio up in the mountains. The village itself has a few small shops for everyday supplies, a couple of café bars and Agriturismo (farm) restaurants nearby. Bassacutena villa > Cala Capra Cala Capra is a beautiful bay between Cannigione and Palau with coves and beaches nestled into the coastline and the stunning headland of Capo d’Orso above, with Bear Rock perched on top. There are wonderful views to Baia Sardinia, with the Costa Smeralda beyond, and also to the island of Caprera. Boat trips leave from the small exclusive marina at Capo d’Orso and there is a very good restaurant adjacent for lunch or dinner.

Cala Capra hotels and apartments > Cannigione Cannigione is a popular holiday destination with a port and marina offering boat trips and boat hire to visit the nearby beaches and islands of the Archipelago of La Maddalena. The town has a selection of shops, supermarkets, weekly market and night market (high season), plus good restaurants, pizzerias, café bars and gelaterias. Costa Dorata & Porto San Paolo 12km south of Olbia and situated on the coast is Porto San Paolo which has a few shops, bars and restaurants. Costa Dorata is a quiet stretch of coastline with many beautiful coves and beaches to explore. Isola Tavolara The island of Tavolara is a limestone massif 5km long and 1km wide located just off the Costa Dorata. A cove and beach can be found at each end of the island, Spalmatore di Fuori at the northeast, and Spalmatore di Terra at the southwest. Currently, the island is inhabited by only a handful of families, and has a small cemetery and summer restaurant.

The water around the island is a popular spot for scuba diving as part of the Tavolara and Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Preserve created in 1997. In the 19th and 20th centuries, an imaginary state was set up on the island by the Bertoleoni family as the Kingdom of Tavolara. After Italian unification, King Paolo actively sought recognition from Italy. During his reign, in 1868 the Italian government began operating a lighthouse on the northeast end of the island. The present claimant is an Italian citizen named Tonino Bertoleoni, who runs 'Da Tonino', a restaurant on the island. Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda ‘The Emerald Coast’, a name inspired by the azure colour of the sea, nestles in the north east corner of the island. It was designed and developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960’s, to preserve and protect this earthly paradise.

With Porto Cervo at its centre, the Costa Smeralda coastline stretches for 55km, with a harmonisation between Mediterranean architecture, natural landscape and seascape encompassing more than 80 beautiful bays, coves and sandy beaches. Golfo di Marinella hotel > La Maddalena La Maddalena Island is the largest of the 7 that make up the Archipelago of La Maddalena and it can be reached by regular daily ferries from Palau in approximately 15 minutes. There is a thriving port and yacht marina surrounded by little café bars, restaurants and gelaterias and a wonderful place to stop to watch the boats and the world go by. The town has a good selection of shops and attractive side streets. There is a lovely circular coastal road with spectacular views and giving access to some superb beaches and Caprera Island by bridge. Olbia Olbia is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda on the north east coast with an international airport, ferry port, marina and interesting old town. The town overlooks the Gulf of Olbia and the dramatic Tavolara Island.

It has a good selection of shops, café bars, restaurants and in high season a night market with live music. Poltu Quatu hotels > Porto Rotondo Porto Rotondo is an attractively designed world class yacht marina (second to Porto Cervo) surrounded by exclusive hotels and villas on the hillside. It has stunning views of the Costa Smeralda with azure blue sea, granite outcrops, sun bleached beaches and hidden coves. There are stylish boutiques, restaurants and café bars to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by and the huge yachts moor up in the marina. San Pantaleo San Pantaleo is a village situated up on the hillside behind the Costa Smeralda. It is sheltered by rugged mountains that are clearly visible from all over the north east of Sardinia and are a distinctive feature of the island’s unique and diverse landscape. The village itself is typically Mediterranean with terracotta buildings and a few shops, café bars and restaurants. The old folk still sit on the steps around the small piazza watching the world go by.

San Teodoro 30km south of Olbia airport, San Teodoro is a buzzing holiday resort in high season with a good selection of shops, café bars, restaurants, pizzerias and gelaterias. On summer evenings there are market stalls in the town piazza to buy typical Sardinian handicrafts and Sardinian specialities are available, including local wines and cheeses, from the small food shops. There is a 9 hole golf course at Punta Aldia and horse riding, mountain biking and nature trails at Monti Nieddu, the hills behind San Teodoro. Santa Teresa & Capo Testa Santa Teresa di Gallura and Capo Testa are situated on the northern most tip of the island enjoying wonderful views over the Straits of Bonifacio to the island of Corsica. There are some beautiful beaches with clear turquoise sea, ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and fascinating rock formations carved by the wind on the headland and in the Valley of the Moon. The town offers a good selection of shops and restaurants and from the port, boat trips to the islands and daily ferries to Corsica. The town beach of Rena Bianca is lovely.

Santa Teresa hotels > Sant’Antonio di Gallura and Lago di Liscia The small village of Sant’Antonio di Gallura with a couple of shops, restaurants and café bars is 2km away from Lake Liscia, an artificial basin in the heart of the Galluran countryside, created in the sixties. It is possible to walk round and fish in the lake which is surrounded by evergreen oaks, centuries-old wild olive trees, wind sculpted granite rocks, with native flora and fauna. There is a small railway station nearby where the scenic ‘Il Trenino Verde’ passes on its way between Palau and Tempio during the summer months. There is also the archaeological site of ‘Nuraghes’ at 340m above the sea level to visit. Tempio Pausania Tempio Pausania lies inland in the heart of Gallura at the foot of Monte Limbara (1,359m), 32km from Olbia and 69km from Sassari in the north east of Sardinia.

The town has original cobble streets, shops, churches and restaurants yet is famous for its cork products, granite stone production and vineyards producing Muscat and Vermentino wines. The typical granite stone architecture of the historical centre has many similarities with southern Corsican towns and its granite plateau provided the materials for the 15th century Cathedral and Oratorio del Rosario, which with some 19th century reconstruction gives a combination of late Romanesque and Baroque architecture. In the surrounding countryside, there are several Nuraghic-period remains including the nuraghes of Monti Pinna, Tanca Manna Izzana, Culbinu, Agnu and Majori. The area is also known for thermal springs and the mineral water from the Rinaggiu springs at the foot of Monte Limbara has excellent curative properties. Hiking is popular in the Gallura mountains with trails and waterfalls to discover. Il Trenino Verde offers a scenic narrow gauge train route to Palau on the coast on some days in the summer months.

Costa Smeralda and East Coast, Sardinia - Deck Chair Villas Costa Smeralda and East Coast The jet-set strip of Sardinia, Costa Smeralda is a six-mile (10km) stretch of coastline between the gulfs of Cugnana and Arzachena on the island's northeast coast, which has become a developer's paradise.The local villages and towns have become discreet up-market resorts crammed with private villas, luxurious holiday villages, contrived Mediterranean-style shopping malls, low-rise high-priced hotels and huge yachting marinas packed with gleaming yachts. The main town of the area is Porto Cervo, a crime and litter-free playground of the rich with its ranks of pale pink and red villas climbing the hill from the busy marina. The other favourite retreat for celebrities is the town of Porto Rotondo, situated on a natural cove about 10 miles (16km) from Olbia, site of the international airport. The town offers a wealth of beaches, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, most clustered around its Piazza San Marco, and the marina.

The main attractions of the Costa Smeralda are the numerous sequestered beaches, none signposted, which can be discovered simply by following a dirt track down towards the sea. Among the most scenic are Cappriccioli, Rena Bianca and Liscia Ruja, all south of Porto Cervo. Searching Costa Smeralda Sardinia - holiday apartments & hotels Loading content Book your holiday in Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda is located on the northeast coast of Sardinia and is considered as the most beautiful and exclusive coastline in Sardinia. Choose from many charming towns with stunning bays and white sandy beaches. Porto Cervo is the main town on the famous Costa Smeralda and is a centre of luxury and wealth with fabulous beaches and many huge yachts mooring up for some fun in the sun. Discover the Golfo Aranci just 20 km north of Oblia airport where you will find beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise blue bays. Then there is Porto Rotondo and Baia Sardinia with more stunning beaches and a charming Sardinian atmosphere. The list goes on!

Getting to Costa Smeralda Olbia airport serves the north coast of Sardinia so its best to fly here if you want to stay in the Costa Smeralda area. It is literally just a matter of minutes before you arrive on the coast of Costa Smeralda from the airport in Olbia by car. You may however want to take a tour of the island, in which case you can either fly to Alghero or Cagliari airports in the south and rent a car. Costa Smeralda - a Prince's discovery The Arab Prince Agha Khan discovered the area in 1960 and before that the area was almost uninhabited and consisted more or less of rocks and small deserted beaches with a few local fishermen. Aga Khan formed the consortium Costa Smeralda with a group of co-founders who started to buy more than five thousand acres of land piece by piece, until they eventually owned Costa Smeralda, as we know it today.

Things To Do In Porto Cervo | Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda � recommend this hotel Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda Local Attractions No rooms available for these dates Select Alternate Dates For stays longer than 90 days, please call 866-539-3446. You can only book 550 days in advance. Please double-check your dates. Learn More About Porto Cervo Offering the most refined of all holiday destinations in Sardinia, the 55-kilometer-long Costa Smeralda—also called Emerald Coast—is located on the Northeast corner of the island renowned for translucent waters, pristine beaches, and a bright Mediterranean climate. Presently, Sardinia and the Costa Smeralda are part of Italy. In the past, however, they were ruled by the Romans, the Saracens of North Africa, Spain, and Austria—to name only a handful. The result is a rich, layered culture that is reflected in its distinct local traditions, cuisine, and handicrafts.

Experience these native customs first-hand with local artisan demonstrations, a visit to the famous Cerasarda pottery factory, and day trips to the celebrated archaeological site of Li Muri or the Gallura region’s characteristic small villages. The development of Sardinia’s international tourist industry began in the 1960s thanks to the efforts of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. Consequently, modern coastal amenities include not only nature’s bounty but also world class restaurants, celebrated architecture, dynamic nightlife, designer boutiques, and the renowned sailing regatta, the Sardinia Cup. For amateur ocean adventurers, excursions to bordering islands Mortorio, Soffi, and Maddalena present a taste of sea life—and the possibility of observing indigenous bottle-nosed dolphins in their natural habitat. Additional activities include golfing at the esteemed Pevero Golf Course, a ride on a traditional Sardinian steam engine, and unforgettable outings to the Ispinigoli and Blue Marino grottos. Store hours are generally from 10am - 1pm and 5pm - 8pm. Local currency is the Euro, and the electric system is European Standard 220 volt.

The official language of Sardinia is Italian, but English, French, German, and Spanish are also spoken.

Pevero Golf Club 10.0 km/6.2 miles Nearby Destinations Porto Cervo 3.0 km/1.9 miles La Maddalena and Caprera Islands 19.3 km/12.0 miles Porto Rotondo 24.0 km/14.9 miles Algarve, Portugal 1528.9 km/950.0 miles Recreation Cervo Tennis Club 3.0 km/1.9 miles Shopping Porto Cervo Centre 3.0 km/1.9 miles Transportation OLB - Costa Smeralda Airport/Olbia 32.2 km/20.0 miles AHO - Fertilia/Alghero Airport 149.7 km/93.0 miles CAG - Elmas Airport/Cagliari 331.5 km/206.0 miles Discover Sardinia - The Island of Longevity - Starwood Costa Smeralda Discover Sardinia – The Island of Longevity San Pantaleo (9 miles) It is a charming village in the heart of Gallura, set in the rocky hills that overlook the coast.

In summertime the village hosts traditional town festivals, ideal for those who are looking to experience a piece of Sardinian culture. There is a weekly market, with stalls that sell almost everything: from the most tasteful souvenirs to precious rarities. Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro, Olbia, Sardegna, 07026. T: +39 (0789) 21453 Porto Rotondo (17.4 miles) A luxury seaside village built around one of most famous marinas. It has stunning views of the Costa Smeralda with azure blue sea, granite rocks; sun bleached beaches and hidden coves. There are stylish boutiques, restaurants and café bars to enjoy a drink whilst watching the huge yachts come and go from the port. Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro, Olbia, Sardegna, 07026.

T: +39 (0789) 21453 Maddalena Archipelago (21 miles) You can enjoy the crystal clear water and pristine white sand beaches like “Cala Corsara” (Spargi Island) and “Cala di Santa Maria” (Santa Maria Island), or you can discover the unique pink sand of “Spiaggia Rosa” (Budelli Island). You can also visit the Museum of Garibaldi (Caprera) and the naval museum in La Maddalena. The islands are located among the Straits of Bonifacio along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia and can be reached by ferry from Palau in 15 minutes. Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro, Olbia, Sardegna, 07026. T: +39 (0789) 21453 Olbia (24 miles) Since 2005, it has been the administrative capital of the province of Olbia-Tempio. It is the economic centre of the North-East Sardinia.

You can choose to enjoy the beautiful beaches, or to experience the history of Sardinia at one of the interesting archeological sites. We recommend for you to visit the Romanesque former cathedral of San Simplicio (11th-12th century), the Church of St. Paul Apostle (Medieval period) and the National Archaeology Museum. Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro, Olbia, Sardegna, 07026. T: +39 (0789) 21453 Tavolara (25.5 miles) The island, off the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, is made of limestone and is 3.1 miles long and 0.6 miles wide. One beach can be found at each end of the island, Spalmatore di Fuori at the northeast, and Spalmatore di Terra at the southwest. The transparent water around the island is highly recommended for scuba diving and Tavolara also hosts a famous Italian cinema festival every July. Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro , Olbia, Sardegna , 07026.

T: +39 078 921453 Wine Tours Find the best wineries, surrounded by picturesque vineyards, taste the typical flavours of Sardinian wines: – Vigne Surrau (Arzachena) – Cantina delle Vigne di Piero Mancini – Tenute Olbios (Olbia). Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro, Olbia, Sardegna, 07026. T: +39 (0789) 21453 Corsica (42 miles) It is a must see place: you will find hundreds of beaches in its 1,000 kilometres coastline, and attractive towns in the inland parts of the island. Climate is typically Mediterranean (summers are hot and dry), and it is perfect to enjoy a lot of outdoor activities either mountain or coastline based. The Natural Regional Park of Corsica has been set-up to protect part of the rare habitats found on the island. It lies 8.7 miles north of Sardinia and can be reached by ferry from Santa Teresa di Gallura in 50 minutes.

Tourist Office, Via Fred Scaramoni 2, Bonifacio, Francia. T: +33 (495) 731188 Archeological Sites Arzachena’s Costa Smeralda Archaeological Park is one of the largest and most significant parks in Sardinia. This exceptional area includes 8 monuments all of pre-historical age, covering almost 5000 years of history, starting from the middle Neolithic age to the bronze age. We recommend seeing: – “Albucciu” Nuraghe – “Coddu Vecchiu” Giants’ tomb and “La Prisgiona” Nuraghe – "Li Longhi" Giants’ tomb and "Malchittu" Nuragic temple – "Li Muri" Necropolis Tourist Office, Via Catello Piro, Olbia, Sardegna, 07026.

T: +39 (0789) 21453 / Costa Smeralda | Italian Destination Weddings Costa Smeralda Destination Weddings in Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda is a six-mile stretch of coastline between the gulfs of Cugnana and Arzachena on the island of Sardinia’s northeast coast. The local villages and towns have become resorts filled upscale holiday resorts, beautiful private villas, shopping malls, and marinas dotted with gorgeous yachts. The main town in Costa Smeralda is Porto Cervo, a clean and crime-free playing field for the wealthy. This area is the epitome of pampered living: the rich relax around their villas and yachts, and celebrities can be found loitering throughout. Legend has it that a wealthy group of businessmen first established this area and turned it into a wild coastal strip for the privileged during the 1960s. Yet aside from its affluence and opulence, Costa Smeralda wedding is a stunning place to say “I do” and a perfect setting for a tranquil getaway. This region of Italy region is also a prime choice for an elegant wedding ceremony and honeymoon.

The Monte Mora is the highest of the granite peaks and it has a commanding presence along the coast. From here there are breathtaking views of the island of Tavolara and the remote island of Caprera. Costa Smeralda is famous for its remote beaches, which can be found by following a dirt track towards the ocean. The most scenic are Cappriccioli, Rena Bianca and Liscia Ruja, all situated south of Porto Cervo. The golden beaches and coves in this area are open to the public, and offer some of the best swimming in the Mediterranean with a splendid scenic backdrop. Porto Rotondo is a town set on a natural cove about 10 miles from Olbia, where the international airport is located. Locals and visitors enjoy the nightclubs, restaurants and bars situated around its Piazza San Marco, and along the marina. Costa Smeralda is a must-see wedding destination in Italy and an unmistakable choice for a romantic marriage celebration.

Costa Smeralda Beach hotels in Cannigione, Italy Expedia.com > Hotels > Italy > Costa Smeralda Hotels Costa Smeralda Beach hotels in Cannigione, Italy Costa Smeralda Top Trending Hotels Near Costa Smeralda, Cannigione Rating: 5.0 Stars 4.5 out of 5 (2 reviews) "Excellent!" Very nice resort on an amazing place! Great hotel with friendly staff, beautiful landscaping and spacious suites. Marcelo from MIami, FL Check-out Check Availability Located in Liscia di Vacca, this beachfront hotel is in the city center and within 3 mi (5 km) of Orso Diving, Gregoland, and … More Rating: 5.0 Stars 4.5 out of 5 (48 reviews) "Central Hotel" Fantastic hotel, staff were brilliant , always helpful, nothing to much, Just the area was very expensive, you do need to look at different cafes, restaurants as it varies a lot Traveller from England Surrey Check-out Check Availability Located in Porto Cervo, this luxury hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Louise Alexander Gallery and Stella Maris Church.

Piccolo … More Rating: 5.0 Stars 4.7 out of 5 (6 reviews) "Beautiful hotel, excellent service. " This is a beautiful hotel: wonderful location, well-appointed. Huge pool, boat transfer every 30 minutes to very nice private local beach. Restaurant nice; very expensive (€200 a head without drinks) for food that's nice enough but nothing special. In summary, very expensive but beautiful. Traveller from Londkn Check-out Check Availability This family-friendly Arzachena hotel is located in Porto Cervo, within 3 mi (5 km) of Piccolo Pevero Beach, Gregoland, and … More Rating: 5.0 Stars 4.5 out of 5 (35 reviews) car a must. Very isolated without transport.

Rooms are very comfortable with stunning views Traveller from Datchet Check-out Check Availability Nestled on the beach, this Baja Sardinia hotel is 2.5 mi (4.1 km) from Aquadream and 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from Proteus Diving … More Rating: 4.0 Stars 4.1 out of 5 (40 reviews) "Breakfast is nathing. It was trable " The plays is fine. See and beach too. The food was bed .

Traveller from Zurich, Switzerland Check-out Check Availability Offering direct access to the beach, this Porto Cervo hotel is next to a golf course and within 2 mi (3 km) of Piccolo Pevero … More Rating: 4.0 Stars 4.2 out of 5 (27 reviews) "great hotel, easy feel and lovely people" what a great expireance we had thanks to the frindly and lovely hotel team azia from London, UK Check-out Check Availability Offering direct access to the beach, this Cannigione hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Centro Sub Tavolara - Diving and Tanca … More Rating: 4.0 Stars 4.0 out of 5 (69 reviews) "Ideally situated close to beach excellent pool" Pleasant stay.

Wi-Fi was exceedingly poor very frustrating A Traveller Check-out Check Availability Offering direct access to the beach, this Porto Cervo hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Gregoland, Piccolo Pevero Beach, and … More 3.3 out of 5 (29 reviews) "100% relaxed." If you're looking for a holiday that you can relax completely, then this is the one for you. Although Blue Corner is slightly in the middle of no-where and takes approx. an hours drive from the airport ( by car ), it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Surrounded by farm brush / wood land and so unbelievably quiet, with it's own private sandy beach literally 2 mins walk down the road, Blue Corner is a must if you want to experience true and untouched Sardinia. Marco the owner is one of the most friendly and helpful people you will ever meet. He speaks more than a handful of languages, so there is not a problem with translation. The actual apartments themselves could do with a bit of updating, as the décor and fixings are a bit tired, but saying that, they serve their purpose perfectly. I will definitely be visiting again.

Traveller from Aylesbury Exploring Sardinia in the Summer | Travel + Leisure Exploring Sardinia in the Summer Exploring Sardinia in the Summer By Bob Morris Cedric Angeles Cedric Angeles On Sardinia, the Missoni family takes life at a slower pace In summer, Italians become obsessed with the sea. With the determination of salmon, they travel by train or by car, and climb mountains of steps to arrive at apartments on rocky coasts. They take over tiny villages tucked between olive groves near La Spezia. They turn Portofino and Capri into amphitheaters of social display. In Catania, Sicily, they run out each morning for granita di caffè, the local delicacy of espresso ice. In Corniglia, one of the Cinque Terre of Liguria, they sit in the piazza and argue about politics. Whether it's in Formia or the Maremma, on Capalbio or Pantelleria, each Italian family, to borrow from Tolstoy, vacations at the sea in its own way.

The Missoni family, renowned designers of striped knitwear, takes its seaside vacations in Puntaldia, just below the famous Costa Smeralda, on the northeast coast of Sardinia. A half-hour drive south of sleepy Olbia and its airport, Puntaldia lies along a rugged coast tamed by tasteful new architecture and discreet holiday residents. Despite the tranquil setting, it's a busy place for Angela Missoni, who recently assumed the chief design responsibilities of the family business. "I used to be a solitary person," she says, surrounded by relatives and friends one June evening. "I don't know what's happened to me." What has happened is a new beach house—actually a compound with residences for Angela and her three children, her parents, and her brother. The weekend population can reach a dozen, and more when they're joined by extended family: Angela's boyfriend and his teenage daughter, or her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. "As long as the children are happy, nothing else matters," says Missoni, 42, a robust beauty with an open-armed approach to life that she learned from her freewheeling, creative parents, Ottavio and Rosita.

In fact, her children seem more serene than happy. Teresa, 12, is quietly writing poetry; 15-year-old Francesco is paddling around the pool. Puntaldia, a community of elegant limestone buildings, may look dreamy, but that doesn't mean it's Eden for the kids—especially for the eldest, 18-year-old Margherita, who has started to exhibit jet-setting tendencies. "It is so exclusive here that it makes you feel lonely," Margherita sighs. "This is a family place," replies her mother, who rarely leaves once she arrives. "If you want a scene, go to Porto Cervo." Mother and daughters are sitting in one of two empty cafés on an empty piazza on a dead Friday evening, having exhausted Puntaldia's possibilities. So of course the mind of Margherita, whose friends include Versaces and Agnellis, does, indeed, turn to Porto Cervo. The posh, polished international resort town, an hour north of Puntaldia, is the Costa Smeralda's social epicenter.

"It is the opening weekend of the season there," Margherita says as she sips a drink and sends electronic text messages from her mobile phone to friends in London. She doesn't know if Billionaire, the nightclub owned by Flavio Briatore, Naomi Campbell's Italian beau, is open yet. She isn't even sure that the overhyped Porto Cervo scene is all that cool, with tourists coming through on buses, looking for celebrities as if they were bird-watching. "It's touristic and false, in a way, to be seen in Porto Cervo," declares Margherita, who two nights before had presided over a table of teenage friends at an important fashion-world benefit in Milan. "But after a quiet day with your family, you need to go out. We will go there tomorrow night." Her mother doesn't say no. But she wants nothing to do with it. FOR 25 YEARS THE MISSONI FAMILY SPENT ITS SUMMER vacations on an island off the coast of Croatia, where Ottavio, Italy's onetime 400-meter-hurdle champion, grew up.

His wife, Rosita—whose parents owned the textile mill that gave the couple its start in sportswear manufacturing in 1953—discovered the easy sweetness of Sardinia later in life. She was seduced not by its glamour but by its vegetation, which is so various and profuse that the air is fragrant all year long. "Here, every bush is fantastic," says Rosita, an avid mycologist and gardener. "We have myrtle, bougainvillea, hibiscus, acacia, and oleander blooming at different times. It's paradise in every season." When D. H. Lawrence visited Sardinia for nine days in 1921, he was taken by its natural beauty and remoteness, describing it as an "uncaptured" place where "the world left off." "Strange how this coast-country does not belong to our present-day world," he wrote in Sea and Sardinia about the area where the Missonis now live. "It just is not included." The inhabitants of the northeast region, Gallura, were historically mountain people, so they never had much use for the seaside places where the resort villages have gone up in the past 30 years.

Now, however, thanks to the Aga Khan and the lavish resorts he developed around Porto Cervo beginning in the sixties, the entire northeast coast has become well trafficked. For the modern sybarite who likes international nightlife, it's hard to beat the posh hotels and restaurants along the granite cliffs and clear waters. And for size and beauty, it's hard to beat La Cinta, the beach the Missonis walk to from their house. With a view of rocky Tavolara island, which rises from the sea like an iceberg, La Cinta is one of Sardinia's longest beaches, and among its most popular. "I love to sit between the rocks, to be alone and think," Angela says as she walks past families lying out on the sand. "But in August the waters are so crowded with boats from Porto Cervo that I don't swim. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here." Back at her spectacular house, she is reminded. Family and friends—the group has swollen in size since the previous evening—are blissed out on the terrace, having lunch. Other than Margherita's sighting of a professional soccer player at the piazza, it has been a profoundly quiet day.

"At the sea, Italians are lazy," says Angela, who seldom ventures beyond her immediate surroundings. "I think there's something to be said for doing nothing. My father used to ask, 'Why make so much money if you don't have time to spend it?' It's a very good question." SARDINIA OFFICIALLY BECAME PART of Italy when the country was unified in the 19th century. Until then it had a history all its own. The island's many megalithic ruins (called nuraghi) suggest that shepherds and their families thrived here in prehistoric times. Then, in 1000 b.c., the Phoenicians arrived to take over, succeeded by the Romans, who reigned for 700 years. Byzantine, Vandal, and Arab conquerors followed, as did administration by the nearby republics of Genoa and Pisa. The Spanish ruled between 1479 and 1708, leaving the west coast port of Alghero with its distinctive Catalan character. Austria, Savoy, and Napoleon all came and went.

By the time of Italian unification, in 1861, Sardinia was plagued by malaria; and so it remained neglected until after World War II. Despite all the development in the northeast, most of the island is unspoiled. Farmers still work vineyards and tend hillsides where cork and almond trees grow. Religious processions file through every town, with musicians singing a cappella and playing wooden flutes called solitti. For these traditional experiences, Angela recommends several specific areas in the Gallura region. The Maddalena archipelago, for instance, is easily accessible (ferries run regularly from Palau) and thus, says Angela, better to visit during the off-season. But it is a low-key change from the Costa Smeralda, with its own remote beaches and a thriving old port city. The place also has some history: Napoleon came through and Garibaldi retired here; old buildings, inhabited by non-jet-setting Sardinians, line the streets. From there, Alghero is a very pleasant half-day drive across the island's mountainous interior. "It's a beautiful town, with an old Spanish center," Angela says.

"You have both the sea and the river, and because it's Catalan, it's different from the rest of Sardinia." Still an active fishing port, the city is alive with locals and visitors who walk along the ramparts by the water and shop on the Via Principe Umberto. Nearby are beaches, grottoes that rival those of Capri, impressive vineyards, and untrammeled ruins. And there's a frontier feeling of wildness that is found nowhere else in Italy. On much of Sardinia, in fact, it is possible to see flamingos and peregrine falcons, wild horses and boars. Scuba divers treasure Sardinia's waters, among the cleanest in Italy. They're alive with dolphins, monk seals, flowering sea grass, and red Sardinian coral. The same waters also supply the revered Restaurant La Gallura, in Olbia, with lobsters, octopus, squid, and bass. "It's not a scene, but it's considered to be one of the best restaurants in Italy," says Angela as she, her boyfriend (Bruno Ragazzi, who manufactures accessories for Missoni and Versace), and entourage enter for dinner on a Saturday night.

The food, praised by the Academy of Cuisine in Rome, is exquisite. But even as the group enjoys local wines and strange and delicious Sardinian delicacies—mussels in yogurt sauce, fried sea anemones, a rubbery mollusk called sea lemon, pasta with tuna eggs, and sea bass baked under a mountain of salt—Margherita and Marina, Bruno's teenage daughter, are fixating on Porto Cervo. "The disco we're going to is the hardest to get into in all of Italy," Margherita claims. "But if we do get in, I will dance for hours and lose two kilos." Angela rolls her eyes. "You can't lose that much weight by dancing," she says. As there would be in the Hamptons, there is a plan: Margherita has a "cousin," Tania, who has put her on a list. And sure enough, after a long drive in the rain up the coast, Margherita and posse breeze past an impatient crowd outside Sopravento, the only club open this early in the season.

Air kisses are exchanged; a Britney Spears song is playing; a VIP table is offered; and, in full view of at least one paparazzo, Margherita throws herself into dancing. Her green sultan pants brush the floor seductively—they're Missoni, of course. SARDINIA IS A PLACE WHERE CHIC and sheep coincide, where a vacationing fashion designer like Angela Missoni is as native to the environment as a cork farmer. Olbia's airport is the place to witness an authentic Sardinian see-and-be-seen departure. "It's the only airport in Italy where you see private 727's, good luggage, and women who still tan in the old-fashioned way," says Angela. "Sometimes I see people carrying Missoni shopping bags from our store in Porto Cervo. I want to ask them what they bought, but I'm too shy." It's Sunday evening, and Angela is out of her beach serape and into her black city clothes. Her family and entourage wear a motley mix of Missoni and denim. Daughter Teresa has a bouquet of wildflowers. Important (and self-important) people are waiting for flights to Rome and Milan.

A woman in a Missoni skirt passes; Angela looks her over and her brain shifts gears to her office and factory across the sea. "I really don't want to go home," she says, sighing. "But I have work to do." SARDINIA: THE FACTS Holidays in Costa Smeralda and the north east Special Offers Costa Smeralda & the North East The Costa Smeralda is a stretch of 10km situated between the bay of Arzachena and the Gulf of Cugnana and is perhaps the best-known corner of Sardinia, famous for its beaches and glitzy resorts. Despite the custom-built nature of resorts such as Porto Cervo, there has been a master plan with strict planning controls, which has ensured that any development blends in well with the natural surroundings. Indeed, the Costa Smeralda is still outstandingly beautiful. It was chosen by the Aga Khan for its picture-book coastline of bays of white sand and turquoise sea, sheltered by rocky headlands. As the main resort on the Costa Smeralda and a paradise for the jet set, Porto Cervo is definitely worth a visit.

Set in the heart of the resort and lined with cafés, bars and restaurants, the "Piazzetta" is the perfect spot to lounge in style - it is the place to see and be seen. The traditional evening stroll along the quay is also a must, with fashionable designer boutiques on one side, and luxury yachts on the other. In the summer, there is a series of top sporting events, including regattas and golf tournaments. More about The Costa Smeralda North or South Sardinia? Find out the main differences of Sardinia coasts Find out the main differences between the northern and southern coast of the Island From North to South, the island has some common traits: crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, a delicious cuisine and an ancient wine culture , welcoming tourist towns and inner areas where old traditions are still alive. But Sardinia is a large region. The coastline changes continuously and towns and tourist destinations are quite different from each other. The maximum distance from North to South is the one from Capo Falcone, in the extreme northern tip of Sardinia, to Capo Teulada, in the south of the island: about 270 kms.

From West to East, there is a maximum distance of 145 kms from Capo Comino to Capo dell'Argentiera. The latter is much closer to the North African coast than to Italy. North Sardinia The coastline in the North of the island is much more indented then in the South. There are many small rocky bays and coves and only a few long sandy beaches. The North Eastern part is mountainous, while and the Gallura subregion is characterized by granite cliffs. In Northeast Sardinia, each village and tourist destination has its own peculiarities: the Costa Smeralda is characterized by a crystal clear sea and a glamorous atmosphere. The La Maddalena Archipelago features a stunning sea and breathtaking views. Santa Teresa Gallura is the closest town to Corsica. Here you can take a ferry to visit Bonifacio. Driving along the North-western coast of Sardinia, you find Isola Rossa, Stintino and Alghero . These are the most popular tourist destinations, not only for the beaches (which are growing longer every year), but also for the lively nightlife, especially on July and August.

South Sardinia The inland of the Southern part of the island is dominated by a vast green plain called Campidano. The shoreline here is more heterogeneous. The coast is quite regular and it features many long sandy beaches, less crowded than in the North, even during the high season. Many beaches in Sardinia are so spectacular that recall those of the Caribbean islands. Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia, is located right in the middle of the Southern coast. Both East and West of Cagliari there are some wonderful beach resorts, such as Chia and Santa Margherita di Pula to the West , and Villasimius and Costa Rei to the East . Your travel style To sum up, there is no doubt about the beauty of the sea and the beaches in the whole island, but before choosing where to spend your holidays, there is one fundamental question you have to ask yourself: what kind of holiday are you looking for? If you are looking for a glamorous holiday in a luxury hotel, the Costa Smeralda is the right place for you. If you wish to find peace and quiet and less crowded beaches, you can choose among many resorts in the North , which have just what you need.

If you love hiking, snorkeling and bike tours and you want experience an active holiday in order to to explore a different bay everyday and walking in the mountains, the Ogliastra region is your goal. It is located in Central Eastern Sardinia and it is considered as an “island in the island”. Both the Southern and Northern beaches, with fine sand and shallow waters, are perfect for a family holiday . You can find several children friendly hotels with services and activities dedicated to small guests. Furthermore, the Sardinia Family Hotels are usually placed at a short distance from small towns and beach resorts with nice restaurants, lovely shops and boutiques. In order to discover the most traditional and fascinating side of the island you might explore the central part of Sardinia or choose to visit the island during the low and mid season .

Question: The Costa Smeralda is on the northeast coast of which island?
Answer: Sardinia